NEWS & TAX UPDATES

The UAE has issued Ministerial Decision No. 24 of 2026 (“Decision No. 24”) for the implementation of certain provisions of Cabinet Decision No. 215 of 2025 (“Decision No. 215”) introducing tax incentives for companies conducting research and development (R&D) activities.

The Ministry of Finance has announced on its official website the issuance of Cabinet Decision No. (336) of 2025, amending Ministerial Decision No. (229) of 2025 concerning Qualifying and Excluded Activities for the purposes of Federal Decree-Law No. (47) of 2022.

The government of Saudi Arabia has approved regulatory frameworks (Regulations) for designated special economic zones (SEZs) established under the Vision 2030 strategy.

The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) of the UAE has released its Corporate Tax Guide on Advance Pricing Agreements (APA), which are intended to mitigate transfer pricing risks by pre-agreeing with the FTA on arm’s-length pricing mechanisms for specific controlled transactions. We explain the types of APAs, eligibility criteria for entering into an APA, and procedural aspects of the APA process.

On 12 January 2026, Royal Decree No. 8/2026 establishing the International Financial Center of Oman (“IFC Oman”) and enacting its law was published in the Official Gazette of the Ministry of Justice of the Sultanate of Oman. The decree entered into force on the date of its publication. IFC Oman is to be headquartered in Madinat Al Irfan, Muscat.

As the Double Tax Treaty between Russia and the UAE comes into force on 1 January 2026, there are a few points that may be relevant to many private clients who already are, or plan to become, tax residents of the UAE.

How to protect family wealth and ensure smooth succession in the UAE legal environment? These key questions were discussed during our webinar.

On September 19, 2025, the UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) published its Corporate Tax Public Clarification №8 concerning the Corporate Tax treatment of family wealth management structures.

The UAE Ministry of Finance has published Decision No. 229, which rescinds the previously effective Decision No. 265 of 2023 concerning qualifying and excluded activities for the purposes of UAE corporate tax.

UAE regulatory authorities, including DIFC and ADGM, have issued reminders for financial Institutions and certain non-Financial Entities to comply with their FATCA and CRS obligations for calendar year 2024.

Our new Tax Alert highlights the key clarifications — including who qualifies for and how to apply for fiscal transparency (Unincorporated Partnership status), and what conditions must be met to preserve the tax-free status.

On April 7, 2025 the UAE Federal Tax authority (FTA) released its new Corporate Tax Guide (CTGIDL1) on the Interest Deduction Limitation Rules.

The Russian Federation and the UAE signed a new agreement on the avoidance of double taxation on February 17, 2025. According to the Russian Ministry of Finance, the parties will make every effort to ensure that the document enters into force from 1 January 2026.

The Decision updates the harmonized system codes for electronic smoking devices and tools and introduces new excise tax calculation rules for concentrates, powders, gels and extracts for the production of sweet carbonated and energy drinks.

The program (Raqeeb) establishes a mechanism where any person may provide the FTA with information on suspected tax evasion and/or non-compliance with tax laws. Raqeeb covers excise tax, VAT, and corporate tax.

The UK government has introduced significant changes to the taxation of non-UK domiciled individuals, effective from April 6, 2025. Full tax legislation update is published on the UK government official web page.

On October 18, 2024, the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) released the Tax Procedures Guide (TPGTR1), which lays out key information about tax residency, how to get a Tax Residency Certificate and Corporate Taxation for Natural Persons.

The UAE Federal Tax Authority has released a corporate tax guide CTGIFM1 on Investment Funds and Investment Managers. The Guide discusses in detail how the corporate tax law should apply to investment funds, investors, and investment managers.

Cabinet Decision No. 10 of 2024 and Federal Tax Authority Decision No 3 of 2024, which alter the time limits for registering for corporate tax purposes in the UAE and establish administrative penalties for violations of the UAE Corporate Tax Law, were published on 22 February.

This alert reviews the published recommendations on intragroup financial transitions, which must be taken into consideration when making decisions on pricing and carrying out intragroup financial transactions with companies in the UAE.

The start date for corporate tax in the UAE (1 June 2023) is fast approaching. Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on the taxation of corporations and business was signed on 3 October 2022, but many questions remain over how the law will apply in practice to various kinds of companies. Official questions and answers regarding the law were published immediately after the law itself was issued.